EXPERIENCED skipper Simon Francis admitted it would be vital for Cherries’ players to return to Vitality Stadium in tip-top condition.

Having yesterday undergone fitness testing, Cherries are tomorrow due to begin pre-season training ahead of their fourth straight campaign in the Premier League.

And defender Francis, 33, knows he and his colleagues must be prepared to hit the ground running.

He told the Daily Echo: “The first few days are always the same, really. We do a bit of testing to determine what kind of fitness levels we are at.

“It’s got very serious over the past few years. We get weighed and everything gets compared to the back end of last season.

“If you come back not in the right shape, you are going to pay for it because you will be playing catch-up.

“We’ve got such a fit squad that you have to be raring to go from the first day.”

Cherries will train on British soil for little more than a week before jetting to La Manga Club in Spain for a 12-day camp.

During their spell away, Eddie Howe’s men will take on three-time Europa League winners Sevilla and Levante, another La Liga side.

Francis said: “These training camps are always very beneficial. The manager is not one to give too many days off, so it’s always about working hard and team bonding and this will be no different.

“Eleven days away with the team will be a great chance to work on our team spirit and the games out there are going to be top drawer.”